During the conversation, the Russian leader defended the objective need of the decision taken against the attack of Ukrainian authorities in Donbass and Kiev’s “categorical refusal” to abide by the Minsk Protocol, the Kremlin website said.

For his part, the Turkish head of State said his government does not recognize Moscow’s decision on the independence of these autonomous regions of Donbass. He stressed it is important that the parties reach an understanding on the basis of the fulfillment of the Minsk Protocol, the Ankara presidential press reported.

On February 21, Putin proclaimed his country’s recognition of the sovereignty of the DPR and LPR and signed agreements on friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance with their heads, Denis Pushilin and Leonid Pasechnik.

On Tuesday, the State Duma (lower house of the Russian Parliament) and the Federation Council (upper house) ratified both documents; and the corresponding laws were signed by the Russian president that day.

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